Danielle,

I know that I don't really emotion all that often, and I tend to pick on you more than I probably should. But I just wanted to write you this letter to thank you for a few things. For being there for me, for giving me advice, for keeping my secrets, and for being everything my real older sisters couldn't be for me.

I grew up having 3 older sisters. But none of them were really there for me in the way that you have been. They were very in and out, and even into adulthood my relationships with them are almost nonexistent and very strained. Growing up a girl is hard, but growing up a girl with horrible role models is harder.

But, you decided at a very early age that you would take me on as more than just your obnoxious little cousin. You took me on as a little sister of sorts. You taught me a lot of things about life that I never would have learned without you. You've given me memories and advice that will last me a lifetime. Advice that I never would have gotten from my actual sisters.

You taught me how to be a normal girl.

You taught me how to do my hair. I had the worst time learning what to do with my mess of hair, but you tried your best to help me out. You taught me how to dress. Mostly by just giving me your old clothes and telling me how to style them, but still. You taught me how not to act around boys and which kinds of boys were even worth my time.

You taught me about periods and how to handle it if I get mine by surprise. You taught me how to act around people and not make a total fool of myself on a regular basis. I'll admit, knowing how I was as a child, I'm sure that lesson was the hardest to teach. You also taught me how to cook basic breakfast foods for myself.

You put up with a lot of dumb little sister stuff from me fairly often.

We used to have weekly sleepovers and you would watch "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" with me, even though it was never Christmas when I wanted to watch it. You dealt with me stealing your clothes and sayings so that I could 'be you when I grew up'. Often times we fought like sisters do but we always made up in the end.

You were always my role model growing up.

I think you knew that. You knew what things you could share with me and what things you couldn't. You knew you had honorary little sisters to watch out for and you set an example as best as you could. You weren't perfect, as older siblings never are, but you tried your best. And that was always enough.

You always keep my secrets

Usually I ask you to hold onto my secrets until I'm ready to tell my parents. But, you're very quick to tell me when I need to tell them right away. You're always willing to answer my phone calls when I swear my sky is falling and give me advice, but also tell me like it is and make sure I get my butt in gear.

You made me your Maid Of Honor at your wedding.

I stood beside you on your wedding day and tried my best not to cry because that was one of those moments that I wanted to be like you, but I was also so proud of you. I saw the woman that did her best to be an older sister to me and our cousins, the woman that's grown a hell of a lot in the last few years, and the woman I was proud to call a sister of sorts.

You didn't have to take on a big sister role. You could have enjoyed being by yourself and watched me haphazardly stumble through prepubescent life. But you decided to be there and help me be a good person. I'll always be thankful for that.

I love you, nerd.

Lexi